Chapter 229: Tax Contract:
Xu Shixing. In the historical time and space before time travel, he was the top scholar in high school in the 41st year of Jiajing. He is the adopted son of Xu Shangzhen, the prefect of Suzhou today. After he won the top prize, he changed his surname back to "Shen". From then on, his name was Shen Shixing in history books.
Shen Shixing was the first assistant to the Wanli Dynasty after Zhang Juzheng and Zhang Siwei. He had been in charge of the government for eight years.
Xu Guo was a Jinshi in the 44th year of Jiajing reign. Later, he joined the cabinet together with Shen Shixing and served as the second assistant of the cabinet.
Wang Xijue, like Shen Shixing, was a Huiyuan in the 41st year of Jiajing reign. He was slightly inferior to Shen Shixing in the palace examination and was the second best in that subject. He also served as a cabinet minister in Shen Shixing's cabinet.
Because the ministers in this cabinet all lived longer and were influential in the political arena during the Longqing and Wanli years, they were also called the "longevity cabinet."
Su Ze also didn't expect that he would meet three future pavilion elders just when he went out to have a meal.
However, at this time, Xu Shixing, Xu Guo and Wang Xijue had the same status as Su Ze, they were all supervisors of Nanjing Imperial College.
Su Ze showed the identity card of the Imperial College. Since they are all graduates of the Imperial College, they are also classmates. Xu Shixing stood up and said, "
Su Ze, Su Rulin, could it be Su Rulin who wrote "The Peony Pavilion"?"
Everyone looked at Su Ze and saw After Su Ze nodded, Wang Xijue and Xu Guo became even more enthusiastic.
As soon as Su Ze's "The Peony Pavilion" reached Suzhou Prefecture, it immediately caused a sensation in the whole city. The entire Suzhou Prefecture theater troupe was rehearsing "The Peony Pavilion" and it became very popular.
Nowadays, at family banquets in Suzhou, whenever there is an opera to add to the fun, "The Peony Pavilion" will almost be performed.
Su Ze revealed his identity and was quickly recognized by the three people. This is the benefit of fame.
Su Ze raised his hands and said, "Su just heard that the three brothers are discussing the banknote tariff law?"
Among them, the Taicang Wang family of the Wang Xijue family, a prominent Susong family like the Xu family in Songjiang, has the strongest views on the banknote tariff. .
Wang Xijue said: "Brother Su, you don't know. This banknote customs law is the same evil law that competes with the people like Wang Anshi's Yifa! Ever since it was reported that the banknote customs duties were to be re-imposed, the officials and people of Suzhou Prefecture all denounced Fang Wanghai for his mistake. Country!"
Xu Guo pushed Wang Xijue. Su Ze was from Yanping Prefecture, Fujian Province, and Fang Wanghai was also transferred from Yanping Prefecture, Fujian Province. The cautious Xu Guo had already guessed that Su Ze and Fang Wanghai might be related.
Xu Shixing did not express his position. Just when they denounced the Qianguan Law, Su Ze came over to talk. It was obvious that Su Ze wanted to participate in the discussion on this topic.
Xu Shixing was deeply taught by Xu Shangzhen. At such times, he always listened to what others said before expressing his stance.
Su Ze said: "This banknote tariff has some connection with Su."
Everyone was surprised. Su Ze added: "When Su took the government examination, the policy he wrote was this banknote tariff law. Later, it was related to Su Ze. Only after the discussion with the prefect was completed, the prefect presented the "Seven Matters concerning Ping Japanese" to the court." As
soon as these words came out, Wang Xijue's face turned pale, Xu Guo lowered his head, and Xu Shixing looked at Su Ze.
Su Ze looked directly at Wang Xijue and said:
"Brother Wang, I disagree. The imperial court already has a commercial tax, and the tax on banknotes is just a tax that should be paid when doing business or doing business, instead of being paid when passing through banknote customs. The banknote customs law is not an additional tax, so how can it be said to compete with the people?"
Wang Xijue was speechless. He couldn't say that because wealthy businessmen could evade taxes in the past, strict collection of banknote customs duties was a bad policy, right? After all, he is only in his twenties now and has not yet developed a thick skin in the officialdom.
Seeing his friend's embarrassment, Xu Guo said,
"Brother Su, what you said is wrong. Mr. Fang set up a checkpoint at Hu Pass. Even though the cash check method is good, there must be subordinates who are exploiting him. Wang Anshi used the market exchange method." His starting point is also good, but he can't stop the officials and subordinates below from carrying out the evil policy of exploiting businessmen!"
Su Ze glanced at Xu Guo, and as expected, scholars of this era should not be underestimated when it comes to talking nonsense.
Xu Guo will be able to serve as the second minister of the cabinet in the future, and his brain is quite good. This makes comparison with the Market Change Law, which really makes sense.
The so-called market trade law is one of the new laws proposed by Wang Anshi. The content is:
Set up a city trade department in Bianjing, set up a city trade department or city trade service in border and important cities, purchase unsalable goods on the market at a fair price, and repurchase goods when there is a market shortage. Sell. Merchants were also allowed to make loans or goods on credit and charge interest in accordance with regulations.
This limits the control of the market by big businessmen, helps stabilize prices and commodity exchanges, and also increases the government's fiscal revenue.
However, during the implementation process, this set of market laws, which were originally used to calm price fluctuations and crack down on merchants' monopoly of the market, became evil laws for the government to monopolize the market.
Even if you want to do a small business, you have to go through several hurdles like government officials. As a result, large, medium and small businessmen all struggled, causing urban industry and commerce to begin to wither.
Xu Guo compared the banknote customs law with the market transaction law. This is actually a "heart-breaking" theory.
Not to mention how well your banknote customs law is implemented, if you label it as "competing with the people" and assume that the banknote customs law will definitely be exploited by subordinate officials, it negates the significance of the banknote customs law.
Su Ze sneered slightly in his heart, the scholars of the Ming Dynasty were indeed very capable in combat.
However, he did not panic and did not continue to debate the similarities and differences between the market transaction law and the banknote tax law.
Su Ze directly pushed away the topic and said: "Competing with the people for profit, I don't think so." "The reason
why the imperial court wants to open up tax sources is naturally because there are more places to spend money." "
Taxation matters naturally come from the people. To the people."
"There is Ananda in the north, the earthquake in Guanzhong, and the Japanese pirates in the south. There are places to spend money everywhere. The court does not have enough money to spend, and this money cannot be created out of thin air. To raise troops and provide disaster relief, where does this money come from? ? Aren't we going to increase exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes?"
"If the imperial court cannot pass the customs tax law, the money will have to be levied from ordinary people. If the money can be collected through the tax law, then the increase in taxes on ordinary people will be less. How can this be said to be true? Competing with the people for profit? We can't say that businessmen are the people and farmers are not the people?" When
this banner of "respecting farmers" was raised, Xu State immediately retreated. In the Ming Dynasty's political outlook, the status of farmers must be higher. For business.
Using the wealth of merchants to nourish farmers is the political correctness of feudal society, and there is no room for argument.
But in fact, Su Ze also knew that he was also sophistry.
How much of the money collected through the Qianguan Law can be used for disaster relief and fighting is something that no one present knows.
It can be seen from the fact that the Taojun emperor had no money for disaster relief after the Guanzhong earthquake and refused to stop repairing palaces and temples. It is estimated that the Chaoguan method will in all likelihood become a tool for the emperor to make money.
However, this must not be said. If it is taken from the people and used by the people, it will point out the regulatory tax attribute of banknotes and tariffs to rob the rich and help the poor. Everyone also feels that it cannot be said that taxes should be reduced for businessmen.
Wang Xijue and Xu Guo were both defeated.
Su Ze said: "Scholars, farmers, and merchants, why do farmers never want to pay less land tax when farming, but businessmen always want to pay less tax?" "Everyone in the world thinks that there is
no businessman without treachery, and businessmen are ranked at the bottom of the four people. Hongwu This is the reason why the emperor suppressed business!"
Su Ze carried out Emperor Hongwu, and everyone became silent. According to Zhu Yuanzhang's design, merchants had the lowest status. He stipulated that merchants were not allowed to wear silk and satin, nor were they allowed to live in big houses.
However, no one has followed this training for a long time. Nowadays, businessmen in Suzhou will only wear linen belts on their silk coats to show that they are still abiding by the training of Emperor Hongwu.
"If you ask me, paying taxes is something that benefits the country and the people! Paying taxes is the most glorious thing!" "Taxes
can be used for disaster relief, to raise soldiers, and to improve people's livelihood." "
More importantly, taxation is a sum of money Contract."
"Contract?" Xu Shixing asked.
Su Ze nodded and said: "In ancient times, during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, although there was no tax on money, everyone had to hunt together, and the gifts they caught were divided among the entire tribe. So there was no tax at that time, only selflessness!"
Three They are not ordinary scholars. They are the son of a magistrate and a member of a prominent family. Xu Guo also owns a contiguous stretch of fertile land in Huizhou Prefecture and is a big landowner. Naturally, they have read history books.
"In the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there were financial ministers like Guan Zhong. They used the wealth of Qi to strengthen the army, and then the hegemony of Qi was achieved." The three of them nodded again. Although Guan Zhong is not a
Confucian sage, the Confucian saints have great respect for him. Reviews are all positive.
"I agree with Wang Jinggong's words: 'Because of the power of the world, we will generate the world's wealth, take the world's wealth, and provide for the world's expenses.'" The three people frowned. Wang Jinggong
was Wang Anshi. The Ming Dynasty did not think highly of Wang Anshi. of.
But there is nothing wrong with Wang Anshi's words. The wealth of the world is indeed taken from the people and used by the people.
But what does this have to do with the contract Su Ze mentioned?
Su Ze said: "In ancient times, there was no tax but no tax. The ancestors contributed all their income to the tribe to fight and develop." "In the Spring and Autumn
Period, the people paid taxes to the king, and the king trained soldiers to protect the people."
"Without the support of the people, how can there be ministers in the court, and how can there be generals who command the war?" "
If you ask me, a country can only exist if the people support it. When the people pay taxes, they sign a contract with the country, and with the money they pay Taxes are exchanged for the security of military protection and peace under government rule." "The
reason why businessmen are despised is because they have enjoyed the benefits of the government, but they are always unwilling to bear the contract and pay taxes honestly. ."
"The reason why scholar-officials hate merchants is because they have accumulated more wealth than farmers, but always find ways to pay less than farmers. Their contracts are always unequal. This is what everyone in the world loves. Tell me the reason why the merchant is cunning."
The three of them were stunned.
Xu Shixing couldn't find a reason to refute Su Ze.
But comparing tax payment to a contract made Xu Shixing vaguely feel that there was something wrong.
Since it's a contract, isn't it two-way?
The people pay taxes and sign a contract with the court. What if the court cannot pay its responsibilities?
For example, the great disaster in Guanzhong and the turmoil between the north and the south. What should the court do? What should the people who have signed the contract do?
Xu Shixing immediately stopped himself from continuing to think, because if he continued to think, it would be too rebellious!
It was Su Ze who interrupted Xu Shixing's deep thinking. He said to the three of them:
"Su is going to run a newspaper in Suzhou."
"Run a newspaper?"
Wang Xijue's family also has business in Fujian, and he has also seen the caravan. He asked,
"Is it a newspaper like "The Surprise on the Case" brought from Fujian ?"
Su Ze nodded and said, "Suzhou Prefecture is a place where literary styles gather, and Su is also afraid that he is not capable enough." , It makes people laugh. Can the three brothers serve as editors-in-chief of the newspaper and help Su review the manuscript?"
Wang Xijue knew that Su Ze's "The Peony Pavilion" was first serialized in "The Surprise", and he immediately asked: "Brother Su, what's the matter? Are there any new works?"
Su Ze nodded and said, "Except for my new plays, all other pages are given to Jiangnan scholars for submission. Wouldn't it be nice for everyone to have a place to make friends through literature?" I don't like to be in the limelight the most right now
. Xu Shixing was moved.
Su Ze's "The Peony Pavilion" is very popular throughout Jiangnan. If he can have a new work that is similar to "The Peony Pavilion", then the new newspaper will definitely sell well.
Being able to serve as the editor-in-chief of such a newspaper will also be of great benefit to your reputation, not to mention that with the platform of a newspaper, you can also increase your knowledge through writing.
As expected by Su Ze, running a newspaper was too tempting for scholars. Xu Shixing, the most stable person, was dragged into the situation, and Xu Guo and Wang Xijue naturally agreed.
Xu Shixing raised his hand and asked: "Brother Rulin, does this newspaper also need "Surprise"?"
Su Ze shook his head and said: "No, the new newspaper will be called "Warning Words", how about it?"
Xu Shixing murmured: "With the text Warning, good name, Brother Rulin, this newspaper is to educate all living beings."
Su Ze said with a smile: "The ambition to educate all living beings is too great, Su just hopes that this newspaper can enlighten a few people in the world!"
Xu Shixing said Thinking back to Su Ze's tax contract theory, I felt my head was buzzing and about to explode.
Su Ze had already taken Lin Deyang and Fang Aizhu downstairs: "When the preparations are completed, Su will personally go to the Suzhou government office to visit Brother Xu, Brother Xu and Brother Wang, and I will also send the employment contract." He waited
until When Su Ze left, the three of them felt like they were in a dream.
Xu Guo regretted why he didn't refuse Su Ze's invitation to run a newspaper just now.
Xu Shixing was silent for a long time, and then said to Wang Xijue: "Su Rulin is a talented person in the world. Mr. Fang has this person to help him. Brother Yuan Yu should persuade the family to pay the customs duty." Wang Xijue nodded and said, "I think so too
, I will go home today and explain the pros and cons."
Xu Shixing added: "Su Rulin running a newspaper is a blessing for the literary world in Suzhou Prefecture, and we should take part in it." Xu Guo
understood what Xu Shixing meant. If Su Ze wants to run a newspaper, as long as he If he can write an article like "The Peony Pavilion", it will definitely become popular. Instead of worrying about Su Ze's purpose, it is better to participate in his newspaper.
Looking at the suddenly gloomy sky, Xu Shixing said: "The plum rain is coming."
(End of Chapter)